Mufti Satisfied Over Polling, Assures Full Support To Corporators

2 February 2005The Times of India

Jammu: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of the second phase of civic polls in the state during which polling was held for Srinagar and Jammu municipal corporations today. In a statement, the Chief Minister complimented the people of the two capital cities for making the democratic process a resounding success by their participation in large numbers. He said the voters' enthusiasm in the ongoing civic elections reflects their intense urge for managing their civic affairs. He said the people's response to the government's efforts for empowering them at the grassroots level is highly encouraging for the government and also for him personally. The Chief Minister assured that his government would extend all support to the elected corporators in effectively discharging their duties in the service of the people. He said the election of the corporators provides them an opportunity to meet the expectations of the people and strengthen the grassroots democratic institutions in the state. Mufti Sayeed said the overwhelming response to the civic polls by the youth and women in particular is a promising development in the process of decentralization of power in the state. He said the 33 percent reservation to women in the civic polls would ensure better representation to them in local bodies.